Dr. Adam Famoso

Rice Breeder, Professor and Director of H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station|LSU AgCenter

2026 Abstract - BALANCING RICE YIELDS AND MILLING QUALITY: THINKING SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM: Rice production has changed tremendously over the last 25 years in the southern USA. Only a few varieties made up 80% or more of the total rice production area in the south. Practically all rice was flood irrigated, and planted over a wider planting window due largely to equipment size. Fast forward to today where over 30 varieties or hybrids are available and seldom does one variety or hybrid achieve more than 15% of the total planted acres. A considerable amount of acres in the Upper Delta region are produced under alternative irrigation management schemes that can create more variability in grain moisture at harvest, a major contributing factor for milling quality. Furthermore, when the weather allows, planting commences at a much faster pace due to improvements in equipment. This session aims to tackle genetic and environmental components of long grain rice milling quality and how finding a balance between grain yield and quality have both short and long term impacts.